The Last Ship (UK Touring)
Must be something about the gritty realism of the North or that triumph over adversity, never say die attitude of its people that makes great theatre and the latest of such stage masterpieces comes in the form of this multi-faceted piece about the decline of the shipbuilding industry in the North East with music and lyrics from the pen of one Gordon Sumner, better known to the public as Sting.
Hailing from that area himself there is undoubtedly some heart and soul and level of personal understanding that allows the songs and narrative to interact and merge with each other in such a seamless way as to appear as one throughout the whole production and I imagine there were a multitude of emotions which led to this happening.
Casting has moulded together a team of stage artists that obviously feel the story as well, Joe McGann is the passionate shipyard foreman Jackie White, ultimately falling prey to terminal illness but, leading his team of equally vehement colleagues to the bitter end, defeating the management even if only in principle. Supported up to his death and onward by his wife Peggy, played with some considerable stage presence and a robust singing voice by Charlie Hardwick (probably best known as Val Pollard in Emmerdale).
Joe Caffrey's stalwart shop steward Billy Thompson, Kevin Wathen proving that imperfection has its place in any real team as the alcoholic Davey Harrison and Charlie Richmond as the classically intelligent carpenter Adrian Sanderson proving what rich diversity existed within the shipyard community.
Of course any tight knit community has at least one rebel who wants something different that they perceive to be better and that is Gideon Fletcher, played as a rebellious youth by Matt Corner and then after seventeen years at sea by musical theatre regular Richard Fleeshman bringing a rich, earthy tone to the vocals. Girlfriend Meg is played as a youngster by Parisa Shahmir and in later life having in her mind been abandoned and left pregnant by Gideon, the stand-out performance for me comes from Frances McNamee, physically owning the stage and with an emotionally outstanding vocal.
Sean Kearns brings that management presence as Freddy Newlands owner of the shipyard and there is a stunning performance from Katie Moore both as Gideon and Meg's daughter Ellen but, also as a poetic narrator to the whole story.
Lorne Campbell directs this emotional rollercoaster and there is some seriously impressive design, including innovative use of video technology from 59 Productions, Matt Daw (Lighting) and Sebastian Frost (Sound).
Can't imagine it will be long before this one becomes a regular returner to stages but, the current and inaugural tour finishes on 7th July 2018 and is selling fast, so make sure you don't miss the opportunity of a truly immersive experience.
Book Here
Hailing from that area himself there is undoubtedly some heart and soul and level of personal understanding that allows the songs and narrative to interact and merge with each other in such a seamless way as to appear as one throughout the whole production and I imagine there were a multitude of emotions which led to this happening.
Casting has moulded together a team of stage artists that obviously feel the story as well, Joe McGann is the passionate shipyard foreman Jackie White, ultimately falling prey to terminal illness but, leading his team of equally vehement colleagues to the bitter end, defeating the management even if only in principle. Supported up to his death and onward by his wife Peggy, played with some considerable stage presence and a robust singing voice by Charlie Hardwick (probably best known as Val Pollard in Emmerdale).
Joe Caffrey's stalwart shop steward Billy Thompson, Kevin Wathen proving that imperfection has its place in any real team as the alcoholic Davey Harrison and Charlie Richmond as the classically intelligent carpenter Adrian Sanderson proving what rich diversity existed within the shipyard community.
Of course any tight knit community has at least one rebel who wants something different that they perceive to be better and that is Gideon Fletcher, played as a rebellious youth by Matt Corner and then after seventeen years at sea by musical theatre regular Richard Fleeshman bringing a rich, earthy tone to the vocals. Girlfriend Meg is played as a youngster by Parisa Shahmir and in later life having in her mind been abandoned and left pregnant by Gideon, the stand-out performance for me comes from Frances McNamee, physically owning the stage and with an emotionally outstanding vocal.
Sean Kearns brings that management presence as Freddy Newlands owner of the shipyard and there is a stunning performance from Katie Moore both as Gideon and Meg's daughter Ellen but, also as a poetic narrator to the whole story.
Lorne Campbell directs this emotional rollercoaster and there is some seriously impressive design, including innovative use of video technology from 59 Productions, Matt Daw (Lighting) and Sebastian Frost (Sound).
Can't imagine it will be long before this one becomes a regular returner to stages but, the current and inaugural tour finishes on 7th July 2018 and is selling fast, so make sure you don't miss the opportunity of a truly immersive experience.
Book Here
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